Sandstorm Comics is now officially available in bookstores and online, marking a milestone moment for the UAE’s growing comics scene. The Abu Dhabi-based studio has brought its titles to shelves at Kinokuniya locations across the Emirates, as well as to readers nationwide through the Kalima digital platform.
The rollout highlights both physical and digital access, giving fans multiple ways to engage with Sandstorm’s catalogue. Alongside its core series, the studio is also launching Little Storm, a children’s imprint debuting with four titles: Solarblader Vol.1, Acro and The Cat, All Upon a Time, and The Foxes and the Dragon. Each book reflects Sandstorm’s goal of presenting stories rooted in regional culture while appealing to an international audience.
For Editor-in-Chief Mo Abedin, the move represents more than wider distribution. “Our vision has been to bring locally produced comic books to life and make them accessible to everyone,” Abedin explained. Making the titles available at the UAE’s largest bookstore chain and on Kalima’s website and mobile app, he said, is “a significant milestone for the UAE’s creative community.”
Sandstorm has been steadily raising its profile both regionally and abroad. The studio drew attention at New York Comic Con 2024 and returned home to a strong reception at Middle East Film and Comic Con 2025, positioning itself as a visible part of the global comics conversation. Backed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the studio also fits into the emirate’s broader efforts to build a sustainable creative industry that can showcase regional voices on an international stage.
For readers, the timing is notable. Comics produced in the UAE have historically been limited in reach, often available only in niche spaces or at conventions. By placing its titles in mainstream retail and accessible online, Sandstorm Comics is broadening access and signaling that Middle Eastern comics are ready to stand alongside international publishers.
The move also underscores the growing demand for diverse storytelling in the comics medium. Sandstorm’s mix of fantasy, folklore-inspired narratives, and original characters reflects an intent to offer something different from the superhero-dominated landscape. With more releases planned later this year, the studio appears set to build on its early momentum.
Sandstorm Comics’ debut titles are now available at Kinokuniya stores across the UAE, through the Kinokuniya online shop, and on Kalima.ae and its mobile app.
